Role ofh 11/2 protons in144Pm

High spin states of the N=83 nucleus¹⁴⁴Pm have been studied using the reaction¹³⁰Te(¹⁹F,5n) and the techniques of gamma-ray and conversion electron spectroscopy. Empirical shell model calculations indicate that three observed states with J=14, 15 and 16 haveh ₁₁ ^2/2 configurations. This is the first observation ofh ₁₁ ^2/2 states in a Z<64, n="83">This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida.